Season 25 of “The Bachelor” had more drama than romance, but it seems like the relationship between Matt James and his final choice Rachael Kirkconnell may not be as doomed as it seemed after all.
Matt controversially chose Rachael over Michelle Young at the end of the season. But as the episodes were airing, racially insensitive pictures of Rachael emerged, showing the contestant at an antebellum plantation-themed ball in 2018. After Chris Harrison vehemently defended her, the ensuing debate led to the longtime host stepping down from the show.
On “After The Final Rose,” Matt admitted that seeing the photos made him “question everything.” He broke up with Rachael after finding out they were real, explaining that after she apologized, he “was finally able to take a check on myself and see where I was at.” The Bachelor revealed that he “wasn’t okay, because it was in that moment and the conversation that I had that Rachael might not understand what it means to be Black in America.” He added that there was “a lot of work that needs to be done” by Rachael.
Matt finally stated that he was taking a “step back” in their relationship to “allow her to put in that work.” But now photos of the pair together, published by TMZ, have reignited rumors about their relationship.
Matt James isn't 'pursuing' anyone besides Rachael Kirkconnell
Matt James has confirmed that he’s “focusing” on his relationship with Rachael Kirkconnell after the pair was photographed together in New York City and Los Angeles. “I’ve seen Rachael a handful of times,” Matt told People. “I’m not pursuing any relationships right now outside of that. I said I was going to focus on my relationship with her and that means focusing on it.”
Asked whether he felt that Rachael had been educating herself on the topic of racism in America, the reality star replied that the subject was “something you could talk to her about.” He explained that “a lot of what I’m focused on right now is the work that I’m doing in the community and with the [marathon] training.”
“Just being at the center of meaningful conversations, that’s what I’m looking to do,” Matt revealed to People. “I really enjoyed the conversations I had over the past few months and I think it’d be a lot of fun to be a voice on important issues. That’s where I see my future and where I’m pursuing opportunities.”
He also shot down the suggestion that either he or his friend Tyler Cameron could appear on the upcoming season of “Bachelor in Paradise,” the dating franchise’s spin-off. “There’s a negative chance I’ll be on ‘Paradise,'” Matt said. “There is a negative chance Tyler’s on there as well. I think we’re good on that.”
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